Dominican Republic Day and Dominican Republic holidays were recently celebrated during Shanghai’s 2010 Universal Exhibit which served to open new possibilities to establish diplomatic relations with China.

A Dominican delegation presided by Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia participated in the celebrations with the special attendance of the great Dominican musician, composer and singer Juan Luis Guerra who made a performance in the Expo, inviting attendees to join in and dance along his intoxicating merengue rythms. Many practiced their dancing steps which they can learn during Dominican Republic holidays, as many resorts offer free dancing lessons as part of their entertainment activities.

Garcia was received by Chinese International Trade Promotion Council (CCPIT) vice president Wang Jinsheng, who headed a ceremony.

For the first time in history, Chinese Liberation Army soldiers in dress uniform raised the Dominican flag on their soil, to meet later and in their opening speeches, among other things, declare both countries’ position toward closer ties.

"We wish to continue bolstering trade relations more and more between both countries, so that in the near future we expand those ties, and that the interchange between us is complete and absolute," Garcia said.

Garcia said to the press that "we are going to try to remove the greater possible benefit, as much by the Chinese side as by the Dominican side, the economic relations, and are going to create the modality so that the Chinese citizens can visit the Dominicana" Republic.

Garcia stated his country’s interest in becoming an attraction for the constantly growing market of Chinese tourists